Pools tips and best bets for weekend of October 2-3

Ten draws: Crystal Palace v Leicester, West Ham v Brentford, Blackpool v Blackburn, Cardiff v Reading, Peterborough v Bristol City, Accrington v Ipswich, Lincoln v Plymouth, Bristol Rovers v Swindon, Port Vale v Leyton Orient, Aberdeen v Celtic.

Best draws: Blackpool v Blackburn, Accrington v Ipswich, Bristol Rovers v Swindon, Port Vale v Leyton Orient, Aberdeen v Celtic.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Middlesbrough, Rotherham, Milton Keynes Dons, Forest Green, Inverness, Forfar.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Burnley, Chelsea, Wolves, Bolton, Wycombe, Exeter, Newport, Dundee United, Rangers, Grimsby.

Pick of the draws: A 1-0 home win over Barnsley and a 1-1 midweek draw at Hull have moved Blackpool well clear of the Championship relegation zone and has probably made them more confident of matching Blackburn, who hit Cardiff for five last Saturday but lost at Huddersfield in midweek. League One Accrington have suffered recent heavy defeats against Wigan (4-1 at home) and Oxford (5-1 away) and will be wary of playing Ipswich, who are improving after a dreadful start to the season. Indeed, Ipswich beat Doncaster 6-0 at home in midweek. Bristol Rovers, of League Two, gained a much needed victory at Walsall last Saturday, which should put them in a better frame of mind for the visit of Swindon, who are erratic. Leyton Orient's home goalless draw against Mansfield last weekend was a rare blip this season and I think they'll recover by sharing the points at Port Vale, who are also promotion contenders. The Scottish Premiership pits Aberdeen against Celtic on Sunday. Both have been disappointing so far and I predict a stalemate.

Away days: Middlesbrough's eye-catching 2-0 midweek home triumph over Sheffield United in the Championship will make them favourites to prevail at second from bottom Hull. Rotherham are proving formidable opponents in League One and are recommended at Cheltenham, who crashed 5-0 at Sunderland in midweek. Milton Keynes Dons, who are third, will surely have too much for hapless Doncaster, who prop up the table. League Two leaders Forest Green, held to a home goalless draw by Tranmere last Saturday, will be eager to return to winning ways at Carlisle, who may be still reeling from being beaten 4-0 by Football League debutants Sutton. Scottish Championship leaders Inverness seem a sound proposition at struggling Dunfermline, as do Forfar, of Scottish League Two, at lowly Stenhousemuir. 

Homes sweet homes: Burnley and Norwich, who meet at Turf Moor on Saturday, have yet to win a Premier League fixture this season but Burnley are playing better than Norwich. By all accounts they were unlucky not to prevail in their 2-2 draw at Leicester last Saturday and I'm tipping them to break their duck this weekend. Wolves have lost all three league games at Molineux so far but I believe they'll stop the rot against beleaguered Newcastle. Rangers, who lead the Scottish Premiership, host Hibernian, who are second, on Sunday. Ground advantage could be the telling factor here. 

 

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of September 25-26

Ten draws: Leeds v West Ham, Blackburn v Cardiff, Cambridge v Fleetwood, Charlton v Portsmouth, Milton Keynes Dons v Wycombe, Crawley v Bradford City, Hartlepool v Exeter, Sutton v Carlisle, St Mirren v Aberdeen, Raith v Partick.

Best draws: Leeds v West Ham, Blackburn v Cardiff, Cambridge v Fleetwood, Charlton v Portsmouth, Sutton v Carlisle.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Liverpool, Fulham, Wimbledon, Northampton, Port Vale, Rangers. 

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Everton, Leicester, Blackpool, Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, Ipswich, Plymouth, Harrogate, Rochdale, Motherwell.

Pick of the draws: After five matches Leeds, who sit just above the relegation zone, are still waiting for their first Premier League win. That wait could be extended by West Ham, who are in the top half and playing better football. Blackburn have drawn half of their eight Championship games and I can see them sharing the points again when they host Cardiff. Fleetwood, from League One, have beaten Rotherham 4-2 away and drawn 2-2 at home with second-placed Sunderland in their past two fixtures. They go to Cambridge, who also excelled when winning 2-1 at Portsmouth last Saturday and deadlock is the likeliest result. Both Charlton and Portsmouth, who meet on Saturday, are well out of sorts and neither will be confident of maximum points. Carlisle, from League Two, fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at home to Scunthorpe and will expect to leave Sutton with at least a share of the spoils.

Away days: Although Brentford are adapting very well to the Premier League, at the moment it's impossible to bet against free-scoring Liverpool, who are expected to leave London with another three points. Fulham, second in the Championship, surprisingly lost 2-1 at home to Reading last Saturday but I'm backing them to return to winning ways at Bristol City. League One Wimbledon are just outside the play-off places and will fancy their chances at lowly Shrewsbury. Northampton, League Two promotion contenders, are entitled to feel confident at Salford, who are underachieving, while Port Vale, having defeated high-flying Harrogate 2-0 at home last weekend, won't have any qualms about travelling to Scunthorpe, who lie second from bottom. Steven Gerrard's Rangers, although not entirely convincing lately, should still have more than enough for Dundee, who prop up the Scottish Premiership.

Homes sweet homes: Blackpool climbed out of the Championship relegation zone with a 2-1 victory at Middlesbrough last Saturday and I believe they'll make it two wins in a row against Barnsley, who have yet to get going this season. Bottom club Nottingham Forest, having sacked manager Chris Hughton, won for the first time in eight games, prevailing 2-0 at in-form Huddersfield. As a result they will approach their home fixture with Millwall in a much more positive frame of mind. Ipswich, precariously placed in League One, also won for the first time this season, scoring the only goal of the game at Lincoln last weekend, and they are worth a punt against Sheffield Wednesday, who are sliding down the table.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of September 18-19

Ten draws: Brighton v Leicester, Cardiff v Bournemouth, Luton v Swansea, Middlesbrough v Blackpool, Preston v West Brom, Accrington v Wigan, Fleetwood v Sunderland, Mansfield v Rochdale, Port Vale v Harrogate, Tranmere v Salford.

Best draws: Brighton v Leicester, Luton v Swansea, Accrington v Wigan, Fleetwood v Sunderland, Port Vale v Harrogate.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Arsenal, Chelsea, Birmingham, Leyton Orient, Hearts, Inverness.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Liverpool, Manchester City, Norwich, Fulham, Bolton, Doncaster, Portsmouth, Exeter, Grimsby, Hibernian.

Pick of the draws: Four matches into the Premier League season, Brighton are in the European places on merit. Leicester are one of the 14 teams below them but they gave Manchester City a hard game at the King Power last weekend and can come away with a point on Sunday. I believe that Swansea's 20th placing in the Championship is a false one. By all accounts they were unlucky not to defeat Hull at home last Saturday and are equipped to hold Luton to a draw. Accrington (sixth) v Wigan (second) is a fascinating contest in League One, seemingly balanced on a knife-edge. Accrington gave leaders Sunderland a run for their money before losing 2-1 last weekend while Wigan continued their rise in defeating Doncaster by the same score. Sunderland have clicked into gear recently but Fleetwood, their hosts, won't roll over, as was evident when they won 4-2 at Rotherham last Saturday. Although Port Vale, who lie 11th, have done better on their travels in League Two, they are capable of denying victory to second-placed Harrogate. 

Away days: Much to their relief, Arsenal scored their first goal and secured their first points of 2021-22 with a narrow home win over Norwich. Now that they have broken their losing habit they can also open their away account at Burnley, who are languishing in 18th position. Although Chelsea were flattered by the three-goal margin of victory over Aston Villa last Saturday, they will probably be too strong for Tottenham, who were brought back to earth with a bump by Crystal Palace, who beat them 3-0. Erratic Birmingham have more going for them in the Championship than lowly Peterborough, who have conceded nine goals in their past two matches. Meanwhile, League Two promotion contenders Leyton Orient should justify favouritism against struggling Bristol Rovers. Hearts, third in the Scottish Premiership, have my backing at Ross, who are last but one. In the Scottish Championship, leaders Inverness are expected to confirm their superiority over bottom club Dunfermline.

Homes sweet homes: I've a hunch that Norwich will gain their first Premier League win of the season at the expense of Watford, who are sliding towards the danger zone. Doncaster, bottom of League One, have only one point from their opening six games but they played much better in defeat at Wigan last Saturday and can record their first win of the campaign against Morecambe. Portsmouth will be anxious to halt their slide into mid-table and I think they'll do just that when they host Cambridge, who suffered a heavy home defeat last weekend.

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of September 11-12

 Ten draws: Brentford v Brighton, Southampton v West Ham, Blackburn v Luton, Bristol City v Preston, Ipswich v Bolton, Milton Keynes Dons v Portsmouth, Rochdale v Tranmere, Sutton v Stevenage, Hearts v Hibernian, Inverness v Partick.

Best draws: Blackburn v Luton, Milton Keynes Dons v Portsmouth, Rochdale v Tranmere, Hearts v Hibernian, Inverness v Partick.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Wolves, Fulham, Queens Park Rangers, Wimbledon, Carlisle, Mansfield.

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Chelsea, Manchester United, Bournemouth, Swansea, West Bromwich, Charlton, Wigan, Leyton Orient, Swindon, Dundee.

Pick of the draws: Luton, who lie 12th in the Championship, are in the habit of punching above their weight and can deny Blackburn, who are 10th, three points. Although Portsmouth have recently faltered on their travels, they will be disappointed not to take something from their League One encounter at Milton Keynes Dons. Rochdale and Tranmere, who sit side by side, mid-table, in League Two, both recorded victories against the odds last weekend, Rochdale winning 3-2 at Port Vale and Tranmere defeating Hartlepool 1-0 at home. I predict they'll have to settle for a point apiece this weekend. Hibernian, the surprise Scottish Premiership leaders, will be fully extended by Hearts, their fierce Edinburgh rivals, who are second. Inverness, who host Partick, are the top two in the Scottish Championship and stalemate is the likeliest result.

Away days: Wolves are somehow pointless after their opening three Premier League games, having played well each time. I've a feeling their luck will change at Watford on Saturday. Championship leaders Fulham are fancied to make an instant return to the top flight and will start firm favourites at lowly Blackpool. Queens Park Rangers, in third place, are also on a roll and will travel to Reading with confidence. You  underestimate Wimbledon at your peril and the Londoners will be aiming for another three points when they visit Morecambe in League One. Carlisle, 2-1 home winners over Salford last Saturday, should have nothing to fear at struggling Crawley. Nigel Clough's Mansfield will be anxious to halt their slide and are well worth a punt at Walsall.

Homes sweet homes: Swansea have made a subdued start to the season in the Championship but can begin to make amends by beating Hull, who are just above them. Charlton have yet to get going in League One but maximum points shouldn't be too much to ask against promoted Cheltenham. Promoted Dundee may be in for a season of struggle in the Scottish Premiership but they are doing better than Livingston, who are rock bottom, and are expected to prevail.

Pools info: Five of my ten draws were correct last weekend as well as three of my five best draws, namely Exeter v Forest Green (0-0), Stevenage v Swindon (1-1) and Switzerland v Italy (0-0).

Pools tips and best bets for weekend of September 4-5

Ten draws: Bristol Rovers v Crawley, Exeter v Forest Green, Stevenage v Swindon, Albania v Hungary, Belarus v Wales, Iceland v North Macedonia, Israel v Austria, Slovakia v Croatia, Switzerland v Italy, El Salvador v Honduras.

Best draws: Bristol Rovers v Crawley, Exeter v Forest Green, Stevenage v Swindon, Israel v Austria, Switzerland v Italy.

Weekend's best bets: Six aways: Oxford, Milton Keynes Dons, Salford, Hartlepool, Wrexham, Partick. 

Weekend's best bets: Ten homes: Bradford City, Colchester, Oldham, Port Vale, Belgium, Germany, Scotland, Altrincham, Chesterfield, Notts County.

Pick of the draws: Bristol Rovers v Crawley is a clash between two out-of form sides who are near the foot of League Two. Bristol Rovers could not beat 10-man Barrow last Saturday and Crawley crashed 6-1 at Charlton in the midweek Papa John's Trophy. Exeter gained a creditable point at Harrogate last weekend and could take another from the visit of leaders Forest Green, who surprisingly lost 2-0 at home to Port Vale. Relegated Swindon have climbed into the promotion places and will look to stay there at Stevenage, who have stumbled recently. It's World Cup qualifying weekend and Israel v Austria, third and fourth respectively in Group F, looks one of the best bets on the coupon. Italy, the European champions, won't have things all their own way at Switzerland, who did so well in this year's tournament. 

Away days: Oxford, third in League One, have hit their stride after a sluggish start and will fancy their chances at Wimbledon. Milton Keynes Dons have recovered well from the shock of losing their manager, Russell Martin, to Swansea and I believe they'll come away from Cheltenham with three points. League Two Salford made short work of beating Newport 3-0 last Saturday and can further improve their position with victory at Carlisle. Hartlepool are exceeding expectations on their return to the Football League. They lie fifth in League Two and can prevail at Tranmere. National League Wrexham, with all that money behind them, will expect a maximum haul at troubled Southend while in the Scottish Challenge Cup, Partick, of Scottish League One, should assert their authority over Stranraer from League Two.

Homes sweet homes: Oldham moved off the bottom of League Two by defeating newcomers Sutton with two late goals last Saturday. They were also victorious in the midweek Papa John's Trophy and I think they'll make it a hat-trick of wins against Barrow. Germany will be smarting after their early Euros exit and I reckon they'll take it out on Armenia, who lead Group J with maximum points. Scotland will be eager to make a good impression after their disappointment at the Euros and will be too strong for Moldova.

Weekend pools info: Bolton v Burton (No.3 on coupon), Crewe v Morecambe (5), Doncaster v Cambridge (6), Fleetwood v Wigan (7), Gillingham v Charlton (8) and Lincoln v Rotherham (9) will be assessed by the pools panel.